Triumphrat

dazco · 09-18-2005

Quote:

I think someone above had a good point, though....I think a lot of Harley guys think the Triumphs are Harleys when they approach, cause of the position and shape of them.....Its hard to tell what the other guy is on at 45 mph passing each other.

I didn't mean triumphs in general, just the cruisers...america and speedy. Because they have those forks with the covers, whatever they're called, and usually i only have seen forks like that on Harleys. The bonnies and all the rest i wouldn't think would be mistaken for a HD . But as you said, at 45 mph in passing it's hard to tell. So those forks would seem to suggest a HD since thats mainly all they see as you approach them. Then theres also the fact that the americ/speedy's have the cruiser forward footrests which would add to the easily mistaken identity. But that said, it's just a theory. But for whatever reason the HD guys seem to wav to me far more than anyone else it seems.

Copper · 09-18-2005

I also think that hard core Harley guys are more accepting of Triumphs than other brands, although I doubt most people recognise them on the road.

Bear · 09-18-2005

I hardly ever look at what they are rideing, if it is 2 wheels, or 3 I wave, makes me no never mind if they wave back, their lose I feel good about waveing at a fellow rider, this hog-wash about my bike is better, faster, or what then yours is all chicken ***** anyway, we all have one thing in common, there is only 2 tires on the pavement, or 3 sometimes, LOL :-D

Copper · 09-18-2005

Right on, Bear! Although hopefully we don't have a tire, a crankcase, an elbow, and a knee on the pavement!! :-D :razz: :-D

ChuckofTahoe · 09-18-2005

Seems like the BMW drivers and the dual bike people almost always wave, Harleys wave a lot. Sport bike riders less frequently. I notice the big touring Gold Wing types rarely wave.

I won't wave if I am going around a curve or something. I will wave my left hand fingers without removing my hand from the grip in this situation. Nodding is a good thought as an alternative.

It is a nice tradition I think and should be kept up.

[ This message was edited by: ChuckofTahoe on 2005-09-18 22:02 ]

Hal9000 · 09-18-2005

I'm a Californian who rode in the early 60's in Los Angeles, and am now living, and riding, in upstate New York. I have to admit, that at times, I was concerned about the waving issue. In 1964 all the Harley and all the Triumph, BSA, Vincent ETC riders all waved. We all waved to each other whether we were Hells Angels or regulars. Suddenly their came upon the scene new Jap bikes that were flooding the market. These JAP bikes had electric starts and were advertised for "Nice People"and "Ladies". We were neither.

Needless to say the "Conventional Outlaw Riders" the Harley and the Triumph/BSA/ Norton riders stopped waiving to the newbie non "outlaw" riders on their Honda 50's. For a long time the motto with the traditional riders was "if you didn't have to stomp on it to start it, it wasn't a motorcycle."

Today, when I ride, it appears that their are many reasons others ride a motorcycle. Many, but not all, Harley riders are fulfilling a fantasy of being a "rebel". Believe me, in my time I have seen what a "rebel" is; it isn't an Orthodontist riding a $30,000 Harley wearing the regulation little black helmet, It's something most of us have growm out of, or never of wished it had happened.

All in all I wave to all bikers. If they do not return my wave, that's OK. They may have not seen it or they may be too busy, or they might be wanting to play some kind of roll. But for me, I'll keep on waving. If you don't see me... that's OK, if you are playing a roll, that's OK too. It doesn't matter if you wave back, I enjoyed extending my hand. God bless and ride safely.

FattRat · 09-19-2005

When I rode the Hondas/Yamahas of yesteryear, I waved.

While aboard my Duc' w/ Conti's, or the little Guzzi V-50.... I waved.

From my Y2K XL1200 Dual Plug 'S' model "girl's bike", I waved.

For over 60,000 BMW R1150R miles, I waved to everyone.

The same held true during my brief ownership of a Trumpet triple.

And on my BonnieBlack, I wave to everyphuckn-one.....

Joke 'em if they can't take a puck!
:-D
(I could care less if my wave is returned, kinda nice when it is though.....)

[ This message was edited by: FattRat on 2005-09-18 23:09 ]

f64 · 09-19-2005

I've always thought the wave was a wonderful demonstration of camaraderie and have been doing it since back when I was putting around on my first vespa.

From my unscientific observations, I'd say that around here, it's the harley riders that wave the least. They won't even give me a nod most times. I guess they think it's hard to look cool and wave at the same time. As far as sportbike riders go, I've actually been surprised at how many give me a wave or a thumbs up. BMW and goldwing riders ALWAYS wave.

I've only come across one other Bonny in Santa Rosa, piloted by a woman. For her I pointed and then put my hand over my heart. I'm afraid I haven't seen her since though...

SpeedyPete · 09-19-2005

I started riding in Hong Kong in about 1996 and I don't recall anybody waving but that was sort of the culture back then. Now that I ride in the NYC suburbs I'm love the wave. Its been one of the many pleasant surprises of riding in the US. Hard to put a number on it, or differentiate by type of bike.

All I know is it happens a lot more often when I'm on the bike then when I'm in the car!

P

Pauley · 09-19-2005

I get waves out of most everybody. Some of the Crotch-rocket type of dudes in my area don't wave. I believe that is due to the fact that either its thier first bike and they havent mastered it all.
I do get waves from about half of the rocket riders I see. As far as touring and cruisers I get waves from about 8 out of 10 of those riders in my area. If they can't wave they nod. I figure the other 2 that don't bother are.... once again first time riders that havent caught on to everything. Give it time they may figure it out, and give it time they may care, or they may not. Some of the Harley guys I bump into like seeing another bike out there, regardless of its brand. But don't get me wrong most are still ego freaks.